Hilarious attempts by Joan Crawford at changing the script

It was beyond obvious that Joan Crawford wanted out of the Charlotte film but was legally bound by her contractual obligations, leading her to fake an illness, deliberately holding up production. According to Cosidine's book, Bette and Joan, Bette Davis, clearly on to this trick, told Aldrich to listen to what she had to say and give in to her demands.

"On day twelve of her illness, the director spoke to Crawford. She confirmed she had some 'wonderful new script ides' for him. For starters, she felt that the audience should know moe about Miriam, her character. There was a considerable amount of background on Bette's character as a young woman, etc., and none on hers. Aldrich agreed that a flashback scene could be inserted, showing the two characters as young women.

Joan also felt that, inasmuch as Miriam had been and was still a very beautiful woman, it didn't seem authentic that she had only one gentleman caller (Joseph Cotten) in the entire script. 'She should have more beaux,' said Joan.

'How many beaux should she have?' the director asked.
'Oh, at least two... perhaps an attorney and a politician' the star recommended.

Major idea number three was the inclusion of a good old fashoined Southern ball at the mansion. A formal party, welcoming Cousin Miriam back to Louisiana, would give a dandy decorative and dramatic boost to the story. It would enable Joan to dress up and make a spectacular entrance down the grand staircase.'

'Charlotte could be there of course, under the staircase, or watching from her bedroom,' Crawford suggested. 'That would increase the conflict between the two and make Miriam seem more of a threat.'

'There will be no goddamn ball or any other changes in the script,' said Cousin Bette when Aldrich went over Crawford's suggestions with her on Monday June 29.

On Thursday, June 30, Joan's cold suddenly became worse and developed into pneumonia."

To me, this was absolutely hilarious, if only because of how obvious it was that Crawford just wanted out of the picture, and that she never expected these changes to be implemented, and yet its still so reflective of her narcissism that she was this invested in building her own part up or taking the whole ship down with her. And, Bette's reaction to the whole thing is priceless, lmao.